DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --SenzaGen has received a grant of 2.4 million from the EU's research and innovation framework program Horizon 2020 to develop GARDair, the first generation test for respiratory allergies.

GARDair is the first in vitro test that can detect air-borne chemicals that cause respiratory allergies, by using a unique gene technology. This follows the international 3Rs principle, Reduce, Replace and Refine, and is the first cell-based alternative to animal testing for the respiratory tract. The grant of 2.4 million Euros means that SenzaGen can develop and refine GARDair at the same time as being able to increase the pace of commercial development and the launch of another new product line. The grant runs for 24 months.

"We are incredibly delighted and proud to be part of the EU's investment in the future, Horizon 2020. The fact that they choose to invest in 3Rs technologies shows how important this is. It is a confirmation of the potential of our technology platform, as well as a unique business opportunity to build on our product portfolio of commercially viable tests at a significantly faster rate," says Anki Malmborg, CEO of SenzaGen.

"It is important in many different industries to be able to test the capacity of chemicals to affect the respiratory system, and today there are no tests for this. There's a huge need for safety testing, and the grant from the EU gives us a unique opportunity together with partners from various different industries to develop the respiratory test of the future in accordance with OECD guidelines," says Henrik Johansson, Senior Scientist at SenzaGen.

SenzaGen's EU application has been coordinated by GAEU Consulting AB and received a exceptionally high score of 14.26 out of 15 in the EU evaluation, proving excellency both in the invention and in the application document.

Horizon 2020 in briefHorizon 2020 is the EU's framework program for research and innovation. The program is the world's largest investment in research and innovation and has a total budget of around 80 billion (2014-2020). The aim is to ensure the EU's global competitiveness. For more on Horizon 2020, see: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/.

About GARDBy analyzing 200 and 389 markers, depending on the test, GARD generates massive amounts of data and delivers results with 90 % prediction accuracy. This can be compared to the gold standard, animal tests in mice, that provides 72 % prediction. SenzaGen's test also has the ability to measure potency (strength) of a substance and can thus determine the degree to which a substance is an allergen.

About SenzaGenSenzaGen provides dermal and respiratory in vitro testing for the cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical industries replacing the need for animal testing. The company's unique test, GARD, is based on research from the Department of Immunotechnology at Lund University. SenzaGen is based at Medicon Village in Lund, Sweden.